A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Access Control and Alarm Monitoring System (ACAMS) - An electronic system or network of integrated systems designed to control physical access and monitor events such as intrusion.

Access Card - A card, generally the size and shape of a credit card, containing encoded data. The data can be encoded in a variety of ways, sometimes including more than one encoding technology. (i.e. Magnetic Stripe, Proximity, Smart Card, Wiegand.)

Access Control - A blanket term that includes any mechanism of granting access to data or performing an action determined by what they have (an access card), what they know (a PIN), and/or something they are (biometrics). The access control mechanism grants and revokes privileges based on predefined rules.

Access Control Unit (ACU) - An electronic control panel to which readers and alarm devices are wired. The ACU can be a standalone unit or wired to a CPU.

Anti-Passback - The process or software control that prevents a user from allowing someone else to utilize his or her access card to enter a specific access controlled point while the user is in the protected area. Typically this control is used in parking garages and high security areas.

Biometrics - A family of products that electronically scans or reads unique traits of the human body for verification or identification purposes. Biometrics can utilize unique patterns of the iris, retina, hand geometry, or fingerprint.

Biometric Reader - A device that stores enrolled templates of a unique human trait such as a fingerprint, hand geometry, voice, or retina pattern and looks for a match against a live presentation, to grant access to a secure area. Used as an alternate to card readers.

Disarm - The act of disabling or shunting a security system or portions of the system to ignore input signals that normally result in alarms. Disarming can occur with user intervention, such as pass codes entered into a keypad, or on schedule through a PC based Access Control System.

Door Control Relay - The relay used to control the unlocking and locking functions of door hardware in an access control system.

Door Forced - A door forced alarm is the resulting logical alarm that occurs at a portal when the door is sensed to be in an open state without an associated valid access card transaction or an associated REX signal.

Door Held - A door held alarm is the resulting logical alarm that occurs at a portal when the door was opened after a valid access transaction or a valid.

Door Held Time - The length of time that a portal can remain open after a valid access transaction or valid REX signal before a door held alarm is generated (also door open time).

Door Switch Monitor (DSM) - A device, typically a magnetic based contact, installed in a door to detect the position of the door. The signal from a DSM is connected to a security system to report conditions such as “FORCED” and “HELD” and in instances where electrified locking hardware is included, relocking of the door.

Exit Device - Locking hardware designed to allow immediate exiting at all times, and does not require lever or knob rotation. Usually located on the perimeter doors of a building and always in the designated means of egress route. Sometimes referred to as panic hardware, the touchpad feature of the device allows doors to unlock and open by simply leaning on it

Fail-Secure - A lock that defaults to the “locked” position when power is removed. Requires power to go to an “unlocked” position.

Fail-Safe - A lock that defaults to the “unlocked” position when power is removed. Requires power to go to a “locked” position.

Format - The structure of the data stored in an access control card. Most access control system manufacturers have their own unique formats.

Host Panel - In a security system, an access control unit (ACU) that primarily provides services such as decision making, data base access, or special programs; the primary or controlling panel in a multiple ACU installation.

Interlock - A pair or group of separate doors equipped with a control system that prevent the simultaneous opening of more than one door at a time. Clean rooms typically include an entry vestibule with a two door interlock that prevents opening the clean room door until the entry to vestibule door is fully closed and vice versa.

Isolation Relay - A relay used to isolate two different systems that must integrate with one another through contact closures, or when the controlling systems relays are underrated for the load.

Keypad - A keyboard type device used for entering a numeric code to arm or disarm the alarm system. The keypad usually displays the status of zones, control panel and power.

Local Audible Alarm (LAL) - A device used to annunciate locally an alarm condition or security violation.

Locking Hardware - Locking hardware is considered to be the electrified lock that controls a portal. Typical hardware includes electrified locksets, either mortise or cylindrical, electric strikes, electrified panic hardware, and magnetic locks, either face-on or shear.

Mag Lock - Fail safe devices that require constant power to remain locked. They are comprised of a lock body, typically mounted to the door head jamb, and an armature plate which is mounted on the door stile. The armature plate is a passive piece of steel that pivots on its mount, and when aligned with the lock body in its powered state, is magnetically drawn together. Some mag locks are capable of providing up to 2000 lbs of holding force.

Magnetic Stripe The black or brown stripe that you see on your credit card, airline ticket or access card. The stripe is made up of tiny magnetic particles in a resin. The magnetic property of the stripe allows it to be encoded with a number of bits. In access control this data would include a facility code and card number.

Man Trap - A method used to provide strict access control by preventing access at one specified entrance while another entrance is being utilized. Typically two doors, separated by an enclosed spaced, are interlocked. When one door is opened the second door is incapable of being opened.

Optical Turnstile - An access control portal that utilizes optical beams (infrared sensors) to prevent tailgating and to grant or deny access into a facility. Units can control single or bidirectional pedestrian access.

Parity - An error detection method used to verify the integrity of transmitted data. Used to verify that the data the reader is sending to the system is correct. The parity bits encoded in the card data provide the system with a method to verify that the number received by the access control system is the same number sent by the reader.

Passive Infrared (PIR) -Passive Infrared (PIR) Typically, a sensor device that can sense movement within a specific area and change the state of a set of internal contacts as a result. These contacts can then be wired to a Request to Exit point of an Access Control System for automated egress shunting when a person approaches an Access Point from inside a protected area. PIRs are also common burglar alarm sensors.

Portal - A controlled break in a barrier between a more public and a more private space. The control could consist of a card reader on a locked access controlled door.

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) - A Programmable Logic Controller is a rugged, special purpose computer that reads input signals, runs control logic, and then writes output signals according to its programming.

Proximity - In access control terms, proximity refers to presenting an access card within the reader’s Radio Frequency (RF) field without having to make actual physical contact with the reader itself.

Proximity Reader - A reader that employs a radio frequency link between the reader and the card (also known as prox reader and prox card). Encoded information is passed between the card and reader, usually supplying a unique pattern enabling identification of the cardholder.

Reader - A device a cardholder presents his access card to that will read the card's encoded data and transmit it to an access control unit (ACU). The ACU then make a decision as to what action to take as a result of that card read.

Request to Exit (REX) - A device used to disable a door alarm, thus allowing valid exit through an access controlled door. Usually a motion detector but can also be a pushbutton.

Security Equipment Enclosure (SEC) - A cabinet or enclosure containing security equipment or controls.

Security Operations Center (SOC) - The central commanded center location where security personnel monitor and respond to security and safety related incidents.

Shear Lock - A type of magnetic lock installed flush in the head jamb of a door frame. The shear lock differs from a standard magnetic lock in that the holding force is based in the lateral -- or shear -- movement of the armature plate away from the lock body, rather than opposing tension direction.

Smart Card - A card containing a microchip that can store significantly larger amounts of data than a standard magstripe or proximity card. Bank account details, Social Security Numbers and employee identification numbers are examples of data that can be stored on a Smart Card.

Storeroom Function - The type of lock function most often specified on access control doors. The Storeroom Function lock is always locked from the unsecured side. If a key is used to open the door the lockset will always return to a locked state once the key is removed. This is referred to as a night latch by some manufacturers.

Supervision - The electronic process of continually metering the integrity of an electrical circuit that connects signaling devices to a processing host panel. Supervision can measure up to 5 conditions and typically checks for shorts, open loops, and power failures

Tailgating - Following an authorized and credentialed person through an access control point without having or using a separate valid credential.

Turnstile - A physical barrier device used to manage pedestrian traffic flow and access control at a security checkpoint

Wiegand - A communication protocol widely accepted as an industry standard in the manufacturing of access control equipment. Wiegand data is typically the protocol used between the reader and the host panel.